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givenscissors's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
At first Stranger was intriguing because he explained the perspective of Smith and how he processed the world but once I got half way through and it turned into a book about reglion and God Heinlein lost me. I could no longer ignore the sexism to "enjoy" the other parts of the book. Turned from a thought experiment of an alien groking our world and society and exploring his human side to some sort of fantasy for the author where women serve you and sleep with you all the time...and want to be raped?! I was waiting for Jubel or Ben to realize and state how distopian it was, which was hinted at, like Jubal said maybe Smith shouldn't decide who has "wrongness" and decorporate them, but in the end Smith's ideas are celebrated as the way to view the world that the reader should walk away with. Any counter view is an angry murderous mob.
Maybe I'm misinterpreting the intent but for now me no likey.
Graphic: Sexism, Cannibalism, and Sexual harassment
uranaishi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Confinement, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Murder, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Cursing, Drug use, Genocide, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Cannibalism, Stalking, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism
shibaunited's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Cancer, Confinement, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
amsswim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The author and book are such a product of their time and it shows. THis book was written in 1961, and has moments of laughable (in my opinion) sexism and homophobia. It reads always blatantly as the author speaking through, but then he goes on from that and frames out the most progressive, sex-positive, all-inclusive way of life that combats the hateful views he clearly has but manages to not see that at all past his own self-insertion into the story.
The actual plot of the book is fascinating, the world building is amazing, and it is generally light hearted. The switch up it does is strange but did not ruin it for me. And the part-dated-part-weirdly-progressive views, adds a spice of a technologically advanced society that still has the political views and strife of 1960s America.
I'd say this book was well written, but content/views just need to be taken with a grain of salt. I had a blast listening to this one on Libby, it feels more like a Coen Brothers movie some of the time. Not for everyone, but lets talk books if anyone else decides to read.
Graphic: Biphobia, Death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Cult/religious zealotrygabriella_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
unboxedjack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
shieldbearer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
This book has all the qualities i hated in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, but dialed up even more. There's no denying that it's an influential book, or even that some of the concepts the Heinlein is trying to get across are important. The problem is that he can't seem to engage in these discussions without being racist. The good parts of the book are heavily intwined with racism and ableism, and there's so much else going on that honestly I cannot recommend this book even with a critical read through. Someone could do something incredible with the base concept, but it's not worth the time taken to read.
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Islamophobia, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Acephobia/Arophobia, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Pregnancy